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Thybulle Named to Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Watch List
January 22, 2019 | Men's Basketball
SEATTLE – University of Washington senior guard Matisse Thybulle has been named to the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Watch List presented by Bona, the Atlanta Tip Off Club announced Tuesday. Thybulle is one of 15 players on the watch list and one of two from the Pac-12 Conference.
Thybulle, who was the 2018 Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year, has picked up right where he left off from last season as he currently leads the conference in steals averaging 2.7 per game and is second in blocks at 2.3. He is the only player in the country averaging at least 2.7 steals and 2.3 blocks per game.
Additionally, Thybulle has the most career steals by any active player in Division I right now with 254, which is the UW record. He's four steals away from tying Eddie House (ASU, 1997-2000) for third place all-time in the Pac-12. Thybulle's 145 career blocks also rank third all-time at UW.
The semifinalists will be chosen in February while players not currently listed on the midseason watch list are still eligible to be selected as award semifinalists. The Naismith Defensive Player of the Year award was created in 2018 with Jevon Carter of West Virginia winning last season.
2018-19 Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Watch List
Barry Brown, Jr. – Sr., G – Kansas State
Brandon Clarke – Jr., F – Gonzaga
Tacko Fall – Sr., C – UCF
Bruno Fernando – So., F – Maryland
Ashton Hagans – Fr., G – Kentucky
Ethan Happ – Sr., F – Wisconsin
De'Andre Hunter – So., G – Virginia
Kylor Kelley – Jr., F – Oregon State
Matt Mooney – Sr., G – Texas Tech
Jordan Murphy – Sr., F – Minnesota
Tariq Owens – Sr., F – Texas Tech
Zavier Simpson – Jr., G – Michigan
Matisse Thybulle – Sr., G – Washington
Grant Williams – Jr., F – Tennessee
Zion Williamson – Fr., F – Duke
Thybulle, who was the 2018 Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year, has picked up right where he left off from last season as he currently leads the conference in steals averaging 2.7 per game and is second in blocks at 2.3. He is the only player in the country averaging at least 2.7 steals and 2.3 blocks per game.
Additionally, Thybulle has the most career steals by any active player in Division I right now with 254, which is the UW record. He's four steals away from tying Eddie House (ASU, 1997-2000) for third place all-time in the Pac-12. Thybulle's 145 career blocks also rank third all-time at UW.
The semifinalists will be chosen in February while players not currently listed on the midseason watch list are still eligible to be selected as award semifinalists. The Naismith Defensive Player of the Year award was created in 2018 with Jevon Carter of West Virginia winning last season.
2018-19 Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Watch List
Barry Brown, Jr. – Sr., G – Kansas State
Brandon Clarke – Jr., F – Gonzaga
Tacko Fall – Sr., C – UCF
Bruno Fernando – So., F – Maryland
Ashton Hagans – Fr., G – Kentucky
Ethan Happ – Sr., F – Wisconsin
De'Andre Hunter – So., G – Virginia
Kylor Kelley – Jr., F – Oregon State
Matt Mooney – Sr., G – Texas Tech
Jordan Murphy – Sr., F – Minnesota
Tariq Owens – Sr., F – Texas Tech
Zavier Simpson – Jr., G – Michigan
Matisse Thybulle – Sr., G – Washington
Grant Williams – Jr., F – Tennessee
Zion Williamson – Fr., F – Duke
Players Mentioned
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